Ship steering and propulsion mechanism



July 16, 1929. J, T, EDM NDS 1.720.826

SKIP STEERING AND PROPULSION MECHANISM Filed June 29,.1928 -2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor gimme/52% Attomg' July 16, 1929. J EDMONDS 1.720.826

SKIP STEERING AND PROPULSION MECHANISM Filed June 29, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ln'uentar Patented July 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SHIP STEERING AND PROPULSION MECHANISM.

Application filed June 29, 1928. Serial No. 289,221.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in the steering and propelling means of a ship and aims to provide a combined construction of this character wherein the ship will be maintained at an even keel, and wherein the ship may be rapidly turned from its course so as to avoid collision with another ship, an iceberg, a derelict or other object within the water. Furthermore the provision of a structure of this character in a ship will result in an increased speed of the ship and will permit the ship tobe reversed in a much more expeditious manner than is now possible in ship constructions.

herein provided can be incorporated in varioustypes of ships regardless of their size without materially increasing the cost of construction thereo lVith the foregoing and other objects in view as the nature of the invention will be better understood, the same comprises the novel form,- combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure l'is a side elevation of a ships hull.

constru ted in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sec tion through the bow of the boat.-'

Figure 3 is an elevation of the bow or front end of the boat.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view disclosing one character of steering'mechanism for the front and rear rudders of the ship, and Figure 5 is a fragmentary transverse longitudinal section through the forward end of the ship at the keel thereof. Now' having particular reference to the drawings, A designates generally a somewhat conventional ship within which is incorporated the features of construction claimed for this invention. Said features of construction consist in the provision of an opening 5 at' the bow or front end of the ship, and beneath the water line thereof, this opening being covered by a suitable grille work 6. Leading rearwardly from this opening 5 are water tubes 7-7 that merge together at their forward ends and that extend outwardly toward the sides of the hull, the rear ends thereof in Furthermore the mechanism or structure each instance communicating with a series of Water tubes 8 that open at the sides of the ship forwardly of the center point. thereof.

Mounted upon theforward ends of power shafts 9-9 that protrude into the merging passing through the particular tube 7 toward which .the rudder has been swung, obviously resulting in the power being applied mainly at the opposite side of the ship to cause the turning of the bow of the ship toward the opposite direction. I

he rear end of the ship A is equipped with the usual propeller 12, and rudder 13, said rudders 11 and 13 being operatively associated and unitarily controlled by a suitable steering mechanism such as that shown in Figure 4, whereby boat propellers will be moved simultaneously toward the right or left so as to produce a quick turning of the ship so that it may avoid other ships or obstructions.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a novel, useful andefiicient propellin and propulsion means for ships that is we 1 adapted for all the purposes heretofore designated, even though I have herein shown and described the invention as consisting of certain detailstructural elements it is nevertheless to be understood that some changes may be made therein without affecting the'spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a boatconstruction provided at its bow and beneath its water level with rearwardly extending water tubes opening at opposite sides of the ship, forwardly of the rear end thereof, the forward ends of said tubes merging into a common inlet, and opening at the bow of the boat, a driven propeller mounted within the forward end of each tube at the point of mergence thereof, a rudder blade mounted for swinging movement within the forward merging ends of the tubes between said propellers and adapted to be moved to position in front of a predetermined propeller for reducing the volume of water passing through the adjacent tube:

2. In a boat construction provided at its bow and beneath its water level with rearwardly extending water tubes opening at opposite sides of the ship forwardly of the rear end thereof, the forward ends of said tubes merging into a common inlet, and opening at the bow of the boat, a driven propeller mounted within the forward end of each tube at the point of mergence thereof, a rudder blade mounted for swinging movement within the forward merging ends of the tubes be tween said propellers and adapted to be moved to position in front of a predetermined propeller for reducing the volume of water passing through the adjacent tube, said boat being equipped at its rear ends with the usual rear propeller and steering rudder, and a common steering means between said rudders whereby to swing the same simultaneously in similar directions.

3. In a boat construction provided at its bow and beneath its water level with rearwardly extending water tubes opening at op posite sides of the boat forwardly of the stern thereof, the forward ends of the tubes merging together at an opening in the bow of the boat, whereby the water will be caused to pass through the tubes during the movement of the boat through the water, a power driven propeller mounted within the forward end of each tube, and means for reducing the volume of water passing through either predetermined tubes, all in a manner and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

Jena 1. remed es. 

